COUNTY KILDARE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY Four day excursion to , Wednesday 8th – Saturday 11th June 2016

The Society’s annual four day excursion will take place to the Burren in Co. Clare, from Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th June 2016, by coach, and will be led by Hugh Crawford, Siobhán McNulty and Dr John Feehan. The itinerary is expected to be as follows: Travel All travel for participants will be by coach which will depart from Toughers, Naas, at 8.30 am on 8th June and will return there at approximately 7.30pm on Saturday 11th June.

Hotel Accommodation has been reserved at the Hylands Burren Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. The Hotel is independently owned and is located in the centre of Ballyvaughan village, the mid-point of the Wild Atlantic Way and is surrounded by the mystical Burren district of Co. Clare. Provisional Itinerary The excursion will include visits to Cathedral, (shown here), Aillwee Caves, and other sites along the various routes. En route to the Burren on Wednesday 8th there will be a stop off in Athenry to explore this medieval town with its town wall, castle, priory and 13 century Anglo-Norman street-plan. On Friday 10th June the party will attend the banquet at Dunguaire Castle at 8.30pm. The itinerary will also include an introductory lecture on the Burren by Dr Feehan who is an internationally renowned expert on this wonderful and unique landscape. Costs There are two sets of costs to be paid: 1. Members will be responsible for paying for their own hotel accommodation, as per the instructions which will be advised on booking the trip with the Society. The hotel cost, which will include three nights’ accommodation and full Irish breakfasts and dinners, is €198 per person sharing, and €258 for single occupancy. It should be noted that in this hotel there are 2 triple rooms available for those who would like to share. 2. The cost of the touristic element, which includes coach travel, entrances to sites, soup and sandwich lunches on three days, a full lunch on the final day, wine with all dinners, and en route refreshments, is €230 per person.

These excursions have become very popular with the Society’s members as they provide an opportunity to view national heritage and historical sites under professional guidance. They also provide an opportunity for members to participate in discussions on sites visited, get to know each other and of course to relax. There is already considerable interest in the 2016 excursion and those interested in joining this excursion, in the first instance, should contact Siobhán as soon as possible at: [email protected] or mobile 087 6879221, to ensure that places are available.

A deposit of €115 per person will be payable on booking, which should be accompanied by the booking form below. The remaining €115 per person will be due by 15th May 2016.  ...... BOOKING FORM

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Please send to Siobhán McNulty, 83 The Elms, Ballymany, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.